80 years a choirboy!

Peter Waters

PENSIONER Peter Waters could well have a place in the record books - as the country’s longest-serving choir singer.

Mr Waters (88) of Green Lane, Garden Suburb has been singing at St Thomas’s Church, Werneth since he was eight.

“It’s just something I have enjoyed over the years and I’m still just cracking on. It’s just a lifelong interest,” he explained.

“I would be very flattered if I was the longest-serving in the country but I don’t think I will be. It is amazing how long people sing in the same choir. There must be someone who has done it longer than me.”

When Mr Waters joined the St Thomas’s choir they had up to 40 singers, but now numbers have dwindled to only four at best.

Mr Waters added: “When I joined there were 16 men and 24 boys - women weren’t allowed until the Second World War started.”

His choir membership lasted despite being called up to the Army at the end of the war, and carried on through his working life.

Mr Waters, who still goes to church every Sunday, was surprised at a recent service when his family made a speech to congratulate him on his long service.

Eight years ago Mr Waters met the former Bishop of Manchester the Right Rev Nigel McCulloch on the last leg of his pilgrimage around the churches in his diocese. Peter took part in a reception at St Thomas’s School and told the bishop how he joined the choir as a Werneth School pupil.

His daughter Janet said: “It is remarkable the length of time he has dedicated to the church. He’s so fit and healthy and loves to sing.”

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